50) Sunday 22 Sept 2013 – Truth Be Told

It was a chaotic scene that met John Paul and Craig when they entered the flat above the Dog around noon on the Sunday. They'd already been warned by both Jack and Darren who'd apparently sought shelter downstairs while Frankie was arranging the party. Jake, Barry and Tom had not been that lucky and were being ordered around by both Frankie and Steph who seemed to be competing for the title of general of the century. The only recruit who seemed to be enjoying the scene was little Charlie, who was trying to help, but mostly just getting in the way of his irritable grandmother.

Seeing his opportunity and seizing it before Jake, Craig swooped up his nephew and asked him to show him his latest toys. Jumping on that bandwagon, John Paul quickly followed the two of them into Craig's old room, where Charlie was now keeping most of his things. Both men felt the daggers in the back of their necks, sent by Jake.

It wasn't long, however, before Barry appeared in the doorway.

"Sorry, Craig, but Frankie needs you to run to the shop, she needs a few things, and both me and Jake are busy peeling the potatoes."

Groaning, Craig rose to his feet, complaining to his partner, "I can't believe that woman! She's certain to have bought the entire supermarket yesterday, and now she says she still needs more!"

John Paul looked at him and said, "Craig, you know it's only nerves! Humour her! It'll be over in a bit."

Upon returning from the shop, Craig was quickly shanghaied to set the table. Jake tried to get that task, complaining that he'd already peeled his share, at least 10 pounds of potatoes, but Steph stepped in, remarking, "It's better if Craig does it. He has the flair for stuff like that." And ignoring the look she got from her baby brother, she added, "in fact, he should get John Paul to help him. Barry, go and play with your nephew and tell John Paul to come out here!"

A few hours later the family was finally sat at the dining table. As she was the last person to sit down, Frankie commented on how beautifully decorated it was. Both Craig and John Paul tried to downplay their happiness at this remark.

Opposite the matriarch, down at the other end of the table, her husband was sitting. On Frankie's right hand she had Tom, then Steph, John Paul and Barry, while Jack had his son Darren on his right hand side, followed by Craig, Jake and Charlie. Further two seats were empty on each side of the table, plates in front of them, prepared for Frankie's ex-husband and his new family.

The atmosphere was charged with electricity as food and drink was passed around the table. No one really spoke, apart from asking politely for this and that.

"When did dad say he'd be here?" Craig finally approached the subject on everybody's mind.

"Well, he didn't confirm the exact time," Frankie replied slowly, "but I guessed it would be around now…" her voice trailing off.

"You guessed? You didn't make certain plans?" Jake asked irritably.

"He did say afternoon for Sunday roast, and this was always the time we ate, so I thought we didn't need to specify the time," Frankie replied calmly.

"So they might not even come!" Jake was about to rise to his feet when there was a load knock on the front door.

"That'll be them!" Jack stood up and went to the door.

The rest of the family remained seated , and no one spoke as they listened in on what happened in the hallway.

"Welcome, come on in, you must be Johnno!" They heard Jack say in his Scottish accent. "Everyone's in the kitchen."

A voice familiar to some of them was heard replying, "Thanks mate. You're Jack, right? Nice to meet you! Should I just go on through?"

"Please do!"

A few moments later, Johnno Dean appeared in the doorway. "Hello, everyone."

His former family had risen to their feet, but no one seemed to want to be the first one to break the ice. It was Frankie who finally reacted to greet her ex-husband.

"Johnno, nice to see you! Welcome!" she said as she hugged him shyly. "You look well!"

"And you look as beautiful as ever!" her ex beamed at her.

"Come on, give your dad a hug, everyone!" Frankie encouraged her children.

Their three children obeyed, albeit rather slowly. Craig was the last to do so, and didn't look his father in the eye as he greeted him.

"And this is your grandson, Charlie, Jake's son," Frankie introduced the youngest person at the table, who quickly hid behind his father. "And this is Barry, our foster son." She pointed out the young man still sitting next to Jack's seat.

Barry gave a slight wave, and smiled embarrassedly.

Noticing the handsome young blond man sitting between Barry and Steph, Johnno extracted his hand to greet him. "And you must be Steph's fella? I'm Johnno, her dad! Nice to meet you!"

John Paul rose from the table to shake the hand of his father-in-law-to-be, just as Steph started to refute this. However, she was interrupted by her younger brother, who looked his father in the eye for the first time since he arrived.

"No, dad. This is John Paul. He's my … he's my fiancé! We're getting married."